Teacher.
Learner.
Author.
Believer.
I believe peace is possible.
It starts within.
Teacher
I am a proud public school teacher for 20 years. Kids are my tribe. Physical Education is my modality. There have been times in my life, especially when reading inspirational texts, when I have thought: “Why don’t we teach more of that in school?” Then I realized, we probably try, but it isn’t repeated enough. Brain science encourages repetition and strengthening the subconscious. Schools are needing a shift to utilize more of these techniques, in particular how to be a learner. I found the space for more light to enter education system.
The aperture:
the morning announcements.
Learner
I am a seeker. I am perpetually curious. The past decade of my life has been filled with extraordinary life lessons from the wise ones. These visionaries, authors, and motivational speakers usually hit our awareness in adulthood. I’m here to say, thank you for giving back. I’m also here to say, the lessons can transfer to the traditional school setting. I caught that pebble you tossed, and the ripples are used in my classroom.
Learners starting the day
with pause and intention.
Tune in to our wise from within.
Author
The calling to serve is often dressed in work clothing. You know this. Writing a book is a labor of love. I have this path for a reason, and it is for a cause greater than me. Honestly, at times, I would have easily preferred to be climbing rather than sitting and writing a book indoors. Regardless, I love it! It has been an unrelenting passion to do this project and now the hard part has been completed (that statement may be a joke on me). Schools have openings for change. I have an insider idea how to do this.
I take the big concepts and translate to tiny human language.
Let’s find the overlap of what’s sustainable for schools and what’s best for kids.
Up-leveling the education system is a lofty goal. I back-mapped it. Writing legislation or curriculum is not the path I chose; I decided to take a side door. Infuse the airwaves with good messages and evoke the wise from within. Each school uses a form of starting the day, with the vast majority making some form of morning announcements broadcast. They are usually arbitrary and thrown together last minute. I know because I did it in high school, and 20 years later with students. If we offer a script, the schools would be delighted to have the work already laid out for them to follow. Visualize millions of people, the students and adults ready to learn and teach, starting each morning with the greatest subjects ever taught:
self-discovery and self-love.
About Me
I am silly, spirited, strong, and starting a revolution. In no particular order.
The Educator Path
I’ve been at the same school for 20 years.
In addition to teaching K-8 students full time, I began building more programs.
These were my service projects at first, and then baby beasts to manage.
For most programs, I built it for a decade and then passed it to the next Director.
Climbing Program
Secured funding, co-constructed, and launched a climbing wall and ropes course program at school. Trained instructors and students for independence.
Ski & Snowboard Club
Started a community program for parents and children to ski together weekly. Organize 50+ student athletes to the ski mountain for 15 years.
Athletic Director & League Founder
Invited 7 local schools to collaborate in developing a sports league. Advocated for “spirit of the game” practices and a different kind of competition. Trained coaches and school leaders for independence.
Mountain Bike Program
One of 10 schools chosen in country for pilot program with Specialized Bicycles. Facilitated morning rides with 30 middle school students to start the school day. Start the day with BDNF and fresh air - so basic, and still so revolutionary.
EverAfter
Founded, launched, trained employees, managed finances, and networked with community specialists to form an after school enrichment program. Clubs range from yoga and skateboarding to “learn how to belay” and everything in between.
Travel Leader
Took students traveling internationally once a year and taught ambassador behavior. All in all, traveled with students to 10 different countries over the span of a decade - teaching empathy with integrity.
That’s a little about me. My “why” is likely most important to you. Why do I do all of this? I am graced with strong and loud intuition, and I started listening to it at a young age. I was pretty high on the ACES score. I relied on my inner voice growing up. I began exploring outdoor adventure sports, and they gave me the confidence to expand my world exponentially. Specifically, I attended an Outward Bound semester course and then began working for Outward Bound. Everything changed. Once we learn that our potential is boundless and mastering our mindset is key,
our job is live accordingly.
Motherhood gave me a stronger “why” and a fabulous curiosity for these bigger concepts. Could I build his subconscious and knowledge-base to understand the wisdom nuggets I learned later in life? If I could save him decades of wandering, and trade it for healthy wondering, I would be giving him one of the greatest gifts:
the gift of time.
Young people are craving good in the world.
There are wisdom nuggets to share.
I have the way to share it.